The fourth annual Savannah Craft Brew Festival starts Friday with golf, food, beer and fireworks and continues Saturday and Sunday with more beer, music and even talks about beer. From beer connoisseurs to novice beer drinkers, the festival offers something for everyone this Labor Day Weekend.

“The festival has doubled in attendance since its first year and continues to grow in popularity,” said Erica Backus, director of public relations with Visit Savannah.

The festival will begin Friday with a craft brew dinner that will incorporate Lowcountry flavors paired with select beers from Stoudt’s Brewing Co. At the dinner, Carol Stoudt of Stoudt’s Brewing Co. will receive the second annual Savannah Craft Brew Fest Pioneer Award for her accomplishments in the craft beer industry.

“We’re honoring one of the foremost female craft brewers in the country,” said Joseph Marinelli, president of Visit Savannah.

Accepting on Stoudt’s behalf will be her son and daughter-in-law, Eddie and Jodi.

Also on Friday will be the Craft Brew Fest Golf Tournament at The Club at Savannah Harbor, as well as Brews ‘n Booms — a dessert and fireworks reception on the riverside at the Savannah Westin Harbor, and the First Friday Oyster Roast and Fireworks, which is also at the Westin.

The most anticipated portion of the festival, the Grand Tasting, will begin from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday and will feature more than 130 different craft beers from 50 craft breweries.

“Everybody gets a commemorative festival glass and the opportunity to go door to door and try what they like,” Marinelli said. “We’ve made it a point to showcase what beers we sell in Savannah.”

For locals, that’s great news because after the festival they can go to their neighborhood store to purchase what they enjoyed, Marinelli said.

New to this year’s festival will be informative seminars taking place on Saturday. The seminars will include topics such as Brews 101, The History of Women in Brewing, and How to Get Started in Brewing, as well as educational sessions with brewery representatives and others.

This year, the festival is also adding an International Craft Brew Tasting for Sunday that will display numerous beers from around the world.

Throughout the week leading up to the festival, local craft beer bar and restaurant The Distillery has played host to Savannah Craft Beer Week. They will continue to feature various beers on tap and special events through Saturday and concluding with a Craft Beer Week wrap-up party.

“I just love the celebration of all these beer geeks. They absolutely devour our place and are so enthralled that we have such a selection,” said owner Michael Volen.

The 2nd annual Night of the Beer Geek will be Friday at The Distillery and celebrate beer week with rare kegs and special appearances by brewery representatives.

“I get excited about seeing all these brewery representatives in town all at once,” said Benjamin Volen, general manager. “They’re all for growing the popularity of craft beer.”

IF YOU GO

What: Savannah Craft Brew Festival

When: Friday through Sunday

Where: Savannah International Trade & Convention Center, 1 International Drive (across the Savannah River from downtown)

Information: savannahcraftbrewfest.com

FRIDAY

Craft Brew Dinner, 6-9 p.m. Friday, The Esplanade, Savannah International Trade and Convention Center. Tickets are $50 in advance and $75 at the door.

Beer Talks, Saturday. For a complete list of seminars and times, go to savannahcraftbrewfest.com/saturday.

SUNDAY

International Craft Brew Tasting, 1–4 p.m. Sunday, The Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort and Spa. Tickets are $30 (beer tasting only) or $50 (beer and food tasting). Attendees can purchase a ticket to sample the beer and food or simply to taste the beer.

IF YOU GO

What: Savannah Craft Beer Week at The Distillery

When: Today through Saturday

Where: The Distillery, 416 W Liberty St.

Admission: Open to the Public

Information: Call 912-236-1772 or go to distillerysavannah.com.

CRAFT BREWING

“Craft Brewing” — as defined by the Brewers Association:

An American craft brewer is small, independent and traditional.

Small: Annual production of 6 million barrels of beer or less. Beer production is attributed to a brewer according to the rules of alternating proprietorships. Flavored malt beverages are not considered beer for purposes of this definition.

Independent: Less than 25 percent of the craft brewery is owned or controlled (or equivalent economic interest) by an alcoholic beverage industry member who is not themselves a craft brewer.

Traditional: A brewer who has either an all malt flagship (the beer which represents the greatest volume among that brewers brands) or has at least 50 percent of its volume in either all malt beers or in beers which use adjuncts to enhance rather than lighten flavor.